Spindle assembly for web handling apparatus

ABSTRACT

A spindle assembly for use in a web handling apparatus is selectively adjustable to establish between a drive member for a roll of web material and a power input member either a weight responsive, friction drive connection or a direct coupled connection. The axis of rotation of the spindle assembly is movable relative to the web handling apparatus to selectively position the spindle assembly at different ones of predetermined positions for supporting rolls of various capacities of web material.

United States Patent Johnson et al. [4 1 July 18, 1972 [54] SPINDLE ASSEMBLY FOR WEB 2,729,079 1/1956 Kuehn ..64/30 HANDLING APPARATUS 2,973,913 3/1961 Thevenaz..

3,310,251 3/1967 Johnson...

[72] Inventors: Robert B. Johnson; Thomas G. Kim, both 3 589 636 6/1971 Brown 242/68 3 of Rochester NY.

[73] Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company, Rochester, Primary Examiner-Leonard D. Christian -Y- Attorney-W. H. J. Kline and Milton S. Sales 22 F! d: Mar h l 1971 1 c 57 ABSTRACT [21] Appl. No.: 119,693

A spindle assembly for use in a web handling apparatus 1s selectively adjustable to establish between a drive member for [52] U.S. Cl ..242/207, 352/168 a 1] f b material and a power input member either a [51] weight responsive, friction drive connection or a direct cou- [58] Field of Search 242/196, 201-208; pled connection The axis of rotation of the spindle assembly 352M681 64/2830 is movable relative to the web handling apparatus to selective- 56] References Cited ly pos1t1on t11e spindle assembly at differentones of predetermined positions for supporting rolls of various capacities of UNITED STATES PATENTS web mammal- 2,545,193 3/ 1951 Clayton ..242/207 10 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures Patented July 18, 1972 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 ROBERT B. JOHNSON THOMAS G. KIRN INVENTORS ymgm ATTORNEYS Patented July 18, 1972 3,677,498

3 Sheets-Sheet 2 ROBERT B. JOHNSON THOMAS G. KIRN FIG 2 I INVENTORS BY maid My A TORN E YS Patented July 18, 1972 3,677,498

I 3 Sheets-Sheet 8 ROBERT B. JOHNSON THOMAS G. KIRN I NVEN TORS BY 7J6w//Ja ATTORNEYS SPINDLE ASSEMBLY FOR WEB HANDLING APPARATUS CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS Reference is made to commonly assigned copending U.S. Pat. application Ser. No. 736,524 entitled Cartridge, filed in the name of John J. Bundschuh on Nov. 24, 1967; Ser. No. 836,300 now U.S. Pat. No. 3,589,636 entitled Spindle Construction and Means for Locating a Cartridge with Respect to a Motion Picture Projector or the Like, filed in the name of Morris E. Brown on June 25, 1969; and Ser. No. 61,554 entitled Adjustable Spindle Arm for Motion Picture Projectors, filed in the name of Allan M. Palmer on August 6, 1970.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to web handling apparatus having means (1) for automatically varying the torque applied to a roll of web material by a tendency drive mechanism in a direct relation with the diameter of the roll so as to maintain the tension on the web uniform as it is unwound from the roll, (2) for providing a positive drive for rewinding the web onto the roll, and (3) for locating the axis of the roll at predetermined spaced positions to accommodate rolls of various capacities of web material.

2. Description of the Prior Art Many prior art devices have been developed for driving supply reels of motion picture projectors in a takeup direction through a friction clutch during web advance in order to tension the web. One such device is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 2,545,960 in the name of J. J. Kuehn. These devices are generally referred to as tendency drives and prevent the web from becoming slack; possibly resulting in damage of destruction to the web. In prior art devices of this type, for instance in the Kuehn device, the supply reels are carried by a spindle on a driven shaft having a horizontal axis of rotation, the driven shaft being connected to a driving shaft through a slipping clutch which automatically varies its coupling force in accordance with the weight of the roll of web material on the reel. However, in apparatus having spindles mounted on horizontal shafts, automatic elimination of the clearance which occurs between the friction surfaces of the clutch by reason of wear may cause the occurrence of nonparallelism of the driving and driven shafts. It will be obvious that this nonparallelism of the shafts produces a tendency towards misalignment of the reel flanges which must be compensated for by other means, such as by universally pivotable spindles and/or reels.

To simplify the use of motion picture projectors, considerable attention has been directed toward providing means whereby film may be automatically stripped from a film supply reel rotatably mounted on the projector, advanced along a threading path of the projector, wound upon a takeup reel and then, upon completion of the projection cycle, rewound upon the supply reel. To facilitate film handling, the supply reel is often rotatably mounted in a film cartridge which is adapted to be received and supported by the projector in a predetermined orientation.

A representative example of such a cartridge-loading projector is disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 3,552,683 in the names of John J. Bundschuh et al. In the projector disclosed in that patent, means are provided for receiving film cartridges of various capacities, each cartridge being adapted to rotatably support therein a film reel of corresponding capacity. The cartridges are commonly provided with an opening in the side walls thereof through which a rotatable spindle of the projector may enter and drivingly engage the film reel contained thereby. With the cartridge positioned on the projector, the film wound upon the reel is radially accessible to a stripping mechanism adapted to separate the leading end of the film from the roll and to feed it along or toward a predetermined threading path. Upon completion of the projection cycle, a rewind mechanism initiates a rewind cycle, whereupon the film is rapidly rewound onto the supply reel.

Further details and features of the aforementioned film stripping and threading mechanism and of film supply cartridges adapted for use therewith are disclosed in related U.S. Pat. No. 3,550,879 in the names of John J. Bundschuh et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 3,429,518 in the name of Edward S. McKee; U.S. Pat. No. 3,536,276 in the names of John J. Bundschuh et al.; and U.S. Pat. application Ser. No. 736,524 entitled Cartridge, filed in the name of John J. Bundschuh on Nov. 24, 1967.

In order that film supply reels of different capacities can be loaded onto the subject type of projector, similar film supply cartridges of difi'erent sizes can be provided with substantially identical locating and supporting surfaces as disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 3,547,373 in the name of John M. Bundschuh.

To enable the stripping and threading mechanism to perform properly notwithstanding the substantial difference in diameters of the film rolls housed in such cartridges, the locating and supporting surfaces of the cartridges are adapted to cooperate with mating means on the projector to position the respective supply reels within the different size cartridges at predetermined, noncoaxial locations. Accordingly, means are provided for locating the reel spindle, which rotatably supports and drives the supply reel within the cartridge, at such different locations. An example of such a mechanism is disclosed in commonly assigned, copending U.S. Pat. application Ser. No. 61,554 entitled Adjustable Spindle Arm for Motion Picture Projectors, filed in the name of Allan M. Palmer on Aug. 6, 1970.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention, a web handling apparatus includes a spindle assembly for receiving a roll of web material wound on a hub member. The spindle assembly incorporates an axially moveable roll drive member mounted on the housing for rotation about a substantially vertical axis. A driven clutch part is coupled to the roll drive member for rotation therewith and has a friction surface with a directional vector lying in a horizontal plane. A driving clutch part is rotatably mounted on the housing and has a friction surface in contact with and substantially parallel to the friction surface of the driven clutch part, whereby the roll drive member is movable relative to said driving clutch part in opposition to friction developed between said friction surfaces inversely as a function of the weight of the roll of web material supported by the roll drive member. For rewind, the clutch parts may be positively coupled to prevent relative slippage therebetween.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention,

the web handling apparatus includes a horizontal plate having means cooperating with the roll drive member for preventing rotation of the roll drive member about any but a vertical axis. The roll drive member is translatable in a direction perpendicular to its axis along an elongated opening in the plate so that it may be positioned in at least two spaced positions to accommodate rolls of various capacities of web material.

Various means for practicing the invention and other advantages and novel features thereof will be apparent from the following detailed description of the illustrative preferred embodiment of the invention, reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals refer to like elements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The above and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to one skilled in the art from thefollowing detailed description read in conjunction with the attached drawings wherein like reference numerals indicate like elements and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a fragmentary portion of a motion picture projector or the like showing a film reel for such projector adjacent to the projector;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, exploded view illustrating one preferred embodiment of a spindle assembly of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged, cross sectional view of part of the mechanism shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged and inverted, fragmentary view of the reel supporting portion of the spindle assembly shown in FIG. 2; and

FIG. 5 is an enlarged and inverted view of the driving part of the clutch assembly shown in FIG. 2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Although the present invention may be used in connection with the various machines adapted to receive and transport an elongate strip of web material, the drawings and description refer to a motion picture projector. Because motion picture projectors are well known, the present description will be directed in particular to elements forming part of, or cooperating more directly with, the present invention, motion picture projector elements not specifically shown or described herein being understood to be selectable from those known in the art.

The illustrative portion of a projector depicted in FIG. 1 of the accompanying drawings generally is of the type disclosed in the aforementioned U.S. Pat. application Ser. No. 61,554 in the name of Allan M. Palmer, noting however that the film reel, denoted generally by reference numeral is supported in a horizontal plane above an upper, substantially horizontal plate 12 by a spindle 14. Although only one size reel has been shown, it should be understood that various sizes of reels loaded in correspondingly sized cartridges may be mounted on spindle 14. Not shown, but in accordance with the disclosures of aforementioned U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,522,683 and 3,547,373 and copending U.S. Pat. application Ser. No. 61,554, all such film cartridges are provided with similar locating ribs. These ribs are adapted to be received in mating positioning slots, not shown, defined by plate 12. Additionally, latch openings are similarly located with reference to the locating ribs of each of the cartridges and are adapted to be engaged by releasable latch members, not shown, extending through openings in the projector plate 12, whereby a cartridge installed on the projector is releasably held in its operative position.

By reference to U.S. Pat. application Ser. No. 61,554, it will be apparent that the cooperation between the locating ribs on the different size cartridges and the mating positioning slots on the projector positions the different sized cartridges with their respective reel hub axes at predetermined different locations. As will be described later in detail, supply reel spindle 14 is adapted to be adjusted to these same predetermined different locations to rotatably support the film supply reel of whichever cartridge is mounted on the projector.

Spindle 14 is adapted to receive reel 10 which comprises a pair of spaced and generally parallel flanges I6 and 18 which project radially outwardly from a centrally located hub member 20. There is an opening 22 in the reel hub for receiving a portion of spindle 14 which supports the hub. Reel hub member 20 has radial slots 24 for receiving reel drive keys which will be described hereinafter in further detail. A roll of web material, such as motion picture film F, may be wound on hub member 20.

SPINDLE ASSEMBLY Referring now to FIGS. 1-4, the spindle assembly comprises a shaft or roll drive member 26 rotatable about a vertical axis and spindle 14 which is mounted on shaft 26 for pivotal movement with respect to the shaft. More specifically, the upper end of shaft 26 has a pressed-on cap 28 having four circumferentially spaced, upwardly projecting teeth 29. Positioned between the teeth on the end of shaft 26 is a socket comprising a mounting or pivot surface 30 (FIG. 2). Surface 30 is preferably in the shape of a segment of a sphere having a center of curvature located along the axis of rotation of shaft 26.

Spindle 14 is hollow and has stepped interior and exterior surfaces. The interior of spindle 14 includes an inner, substantially cylindrical recess formed by a wall 32 and a somewhat larger outer recess formed by a wall 34. Four spaced teeth 36 project into the inner recess from wall 32 and are dimensioned so that they fit between teeth 29 on the upper end of shaft 26, thereby establishing a driving connection between the shaft and the spindle so that when the parts are assembled as illustrated in FIG. 3 rotation of shafi 26 simultaneously effects rotation of spindle l4. Secured to the hub and projecting downwardly into the inner recess is a shaft 38 having a threaded bore 40 which receives an adjustable stud 42 having a generally spherical lower portion 43. The radius of curvature of lower portion 43 of stud 42 is substantially equal to the radius of curvature of spherical surface 30 on shaft 26. When assembled, the surface of spherical portion 43 contacts surface 30 to provide a universal connection between stud 42 and shaft 26, and this connection permits pivotal movement of spindle 14 about a pivot point located on the axis of rotation of shaft 26. This type of connection is described in U.S. Pat. application Ser. No. 836,300 entitled Spindle Construction and Means for Locating a Cartridge with Respect to a Motion Picture Projector or the Like, filed in the name of Morris E. Brown on June 25, 1969. The height of spindle 14 relative to shaft 26 and plate 12 may be adjusted by stud 42.

Spindle 14 is locked onto shaft 26 by a retainer ring 44 which fits into an annular recess 46 (FIG. 4) in the interior of spindle l4 and is locked in position by a plurality of tabs 48 on spindle 14 which may be bent under the ring. The inside diameter of ring 44 and the outside diameter of shaft 26 cooperate to determine the extent of pivotal movement of spindle 14 with respect to shaft 26. The inside diameter of ring 44 is less than the outside diameter of cap 28 to retain spindle 14 on shaft 26.

The outer surface of spindle 14 comprises a cylindrical upper surface portion 50 positionable within opening 22 in reel hub 20. Spindle 14 has a plurality of slots 52. Keys 54 of a locking member 56 project through slots 52 and into the radial slots 24 of a received reel to nonrotatably connect the spindle and reel. Locking member 56 is held in a raised position as shown in FIG. 3 by a spring 58 that is compressed between a retainer ring 60 and member 56. Ring 60 is held in a recess 62 in wall 34 by bent tabs 64.

When a reel is mounted on spindle 14 with its slots 24 misaligned with respect to keys 54, locking member 56 will be depressed against the biasing force of spring 58. As soon as the spindle begins to rotate relative to the reel, keys 54 will align with slots 24 and locking member will be raised by the spring to its position shown in FIG. 3.

Spindle 26 is rotatably carried in a flanged sleeve bearing 66 which projects through a lower plate 68 that is substantially parallel to and just below plate 12. The flange of bearing 66 rests on and cooperates with plate 68 to prevent rotation of shaft 26 about a horizontal axis. Rotatably mounted on sleeve bearing 66 below plate 68 is a pulley member 70 which is abutted at its end by a pair of thrust washers 72 and 74. Pulley 70 is prevented from sliding axially along bearing 66 by plate 68 and by a retaining ring 76 that has teeth on its inner periphery for gripping the shaft. A drive belt 78 is trained about an annular groove in pulley member 70 and about a drive pulley 80 powered by a motor 82. The internal features of pulley member 70 are more clearly shown in FIG. 5. These features include four circumferentially spaced, ramped lugs 84 on upper plate 85, a key 86 extending axially down the inner wall 88 of pulley member 70 and four prongs 90 projecting radially inwardly from the edge of cylindrical wall 88 opposite from plate 85. The inner ends of prongs 90 are turned upwardly toward plate to hold a wire retainer 92 (FIG. 3) in the pulley member as will be explained in greater detail hereinafter. Axial movement of shaft 26 is limited in an upward direction by cooperation between the lower edge of bearing 66 and a snap-ring 94 which fits into an annular groove 96 in shaft 26 just below the bearing.

An upper clutch part 98 is fixed to shaft 26 by a knurled connection and includes an annular flange 100 having four openings 102 circumferentially spaced therein. The lower wall of flange 100 defines one friction surface of a clutch. A lower clutch part or ring 104 has an upper friction surface 106 lying in a plane perpendicular to the axis of shaft 26. Clutch part 104 is formed with slots 108 in its periphery that are aligned with prongs 90 of pulley member 70 and with a peripheral slot 110 that is aligned with key 86 during assembly of the lower clutch part into the pulley member. Once assembled, the lower clutch part is held in the pulley by insertion of wire retainer 92 therebelow. Key 86 and slot 110 assure that lower clutch part 104 rotates with pulley 70.

A lower cap 112 is provided with four upwardly extending, flexible prongs 114 having radial tabs 116. During assembly prongs 114 may be deflected slightly radially inwardly to permit their entry through openings 102 in flange 100 of upper clutch part 98. Tabs 116 then prevent the inadvertent withdrawal of prongs 114 back through the openings. When assembled, prongs 114 are radially aligned with and positioned below lugs 84 of pulley member 70. A compression spring 1 l8 pushes cap 1 l2 and upper clutch member 98 apart. Thus spring 118 biases tabs 116 away from lugs 84 and into engagement with upper clutch member 98.

Cap 112 rests against a plate 120 which is mounted for rotation about a shaft 122. The plate may be rotated about shaft 122 to raise cap 112 during rewind and review operation of the projector by energization of a solenoid 124 connected thereto by a wire 128.

OPERATION OF SPINDLE ASSEMBLY During operation of the projector, motor 82 drives pulley 80 in the direction indicated by arrow 126, thereby turning pulley member 70 in the direction shown by arrow 127. Since lower clutch part 104 is nonrotatably held in pulley 70 by cooperating key 86 and slot 1 10, rotation of pulley member 70 rotates the lower clutch part. The lower surface of upper clutch part 100 is pressed in frictional contact against the upper surface 106 of lower clutch part 104 so that rotation of pulley member 70 tends to rotate spindle 14 and film reel in a take-up direction. The force which the friction surfaces are pressed together is dependent upon the weight of, and therefore the instantaneous diameter of, the film roll on the reel, whereby shaft 26 is movable, by film tension, relative to the driving clutch part in opposition to the friction developed between the friction surfaces inversely as a function of the weight of the roll of film supported on the spindle.

To rewind film onto reel 10 during rewind and/or review operation of the projector, it is desirable to directly couple drive motor 82 and spindle 14. By energizing solenoid 124 through any suitable rewind switch 129, plate 120 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 3 to raise cap 112 against the force of spring 1 18. In this manner, prongs 116 are raised into the path of the flat sides of lugs 84 on pulley 70 which is rotating in a direction whereby these flat sides lead the ramped sides. Thus, as long as solenoid 124 remains energized, a direct coupling is formed between pulley member 70 and spindle 14 through lugs 84, prongs 114, upper clutch part 98, shaft 26, teeth 29 and teeth 36. When solenoid 124 is deenergized, spring 118 withdraws prongs 114 from engagement with lugs 84 to reestablish the variable coupling between the clutch parts.

SPINDLE LOCATING MEANS In accordance with the disclosure of copending U.S. Pat. application Ser. No. 61,554, projectors of the type described are adapted to receive any of several different diameter film supply reels loaded in cartridges of corresponding sizes. All of the film cartridges are provided with similar locating ribs which are adapted to be received in mating positioning slots defined by a wall member such as plate 12 of the instant application. Additionally, latch openings are similarly located with reference to the locating ribs of each of the cartridges and are adapted to be engaged by releasable latch members extending through the openings in the projector wall member, whereby a cartridge installed on the projector is releasably held in its operative position. It will be apparent by reference to the aforementioned application Ser. No. 61,554 that the cooperation between the locating ribs on the different size cartridges and the mating positioning slots on the projector positions the different size cartridges with their respective reel hub axes at predetermined different locations along an arc. Therefore, as will be described later in detail, supply reel spindle 14 of the present application is adjustable to these same predetermined different locations to rotatably support the film supply reel of whichever cartridge is mounted on the projector.

Referring to FIG. 1 of the instant application, upper plate 12 and lower plate 68 are provided with aligned arcuate slots and 131, respectively, through which shaft 26 extends. Slot 131 is somewhat wider than slot 130 to accommodate sleeve bearing 66. Along one edge of each slot is provided means defining three arcuate detent indentations in respective coaxial alignment with the required three positions of the supply reel spindle. The indentations in plate 12 are referenced by numerals 132-134. The upper surface of upper plate 12 is recessed in the region of reference numeral 136 to accommodate the lower portion of spindle 14. Shaft 26 and hub of flanged bearing 66 are held against the indented edges of slots 130 and 131 solely by the force exerted by resilient drive belt 78, the drive belt being stretched somewhat as it is mounted on pulleys 70 and 80.

From the foregoing, it is apparent that spindle 26 may be manually shifted within slots 130 and 131 so as to occupy any one of the several detented positions. To shift spindle 14 from one detent to another, the projector operator merely grasps the spindle and urges it out of the detent it had originally occupied, moves the spindle along the slots to a point opposing the detent in which the spindle is to be set, and then releases the spindle, thereby permitting the resilient force exerted by drive belt 78 to urge shaft 26 into its new position.

Detent indentations 132-134 are shown on an arcuate locus. However, it will be readily understood that the detent indentations may be aligned so that spindle 14 is held in one of three predetermined positions along a straight line.

The invention has been described in detail with particular reference to the preferred embodiment thereof, but it will be understood that variations and modifications may be effected within the spirit and scope of the invention as described herein and as defined in the appended claims.

We claim:

1. For use with a web handling apparatus having a housing, power means, a spindle assembly for receiving a roll of web material wound on a hub member and for rotating the roll about an axis, said spindle assembly comprising:

a roll drive member mounted on said housing (1) for rotation about a substantially vertical axis generally parallel to the axis of a received roll of web material and (2) for translational movement along said vertical axis;

means on said roll drive member for supporting the hub member of a received roll of web material;

a driven clutch part coupled to said roll drive member for rotation therewith and having a friction surface with a directional vector lying in a plane perpendicular to said vertical axis;

a driving clutch part rotatably mounted on the housing and having a friction surface in contact with and substantially parallel to the friction surface of said driven clutch part,

said driving clutch part being connectable with said power means to rotate said driven clutch part in a direction to wind the web material onto a received hub member, whereby said roll drive member is movable relative to said driving clutch part in opposition to friction developed between said friction surfaces inversely as a function of the weight of the roll of web material supported by said hub member supporting means; and

coupling means includes:

said apparatus comprising:

a roll drive member mounted for (l) rotation about an axis and for (2) translational movement perpendicular to said axis;

at least one lug on one of said clutch parts; and means on said roll drive member for supporting the hub at least one prong nonrotatably coupled to the other clutch mem er of rolls of Web material such that the axis of a part and selectively movable into engagement with said received roll is generally parallel to the axis of said roll lug. drive member; 3, Aspindle asdefined i l i 1 wh i a plate lying in a plane substantially perpendicular to the said roll drive member includes a shaft rotatable about said axis of Said You dfivfi i l i means on said roll drive member for cooperation with said said hub member supporting means includes a spindle hav- Plate to pf f rotation Said mu drive member ab)!!! ing means for nonrotatably receiving a hub member; an but axlsiand the friction surface of said driven clutch part is annularly an e ongated operimg defined smd i smd mu dnve Shaped; and 5 member extending through said opening fonmovement the friction surface of said driving clutch part is annularly 9 m aiduecuon perpendlculm: i i whereby shaped and is coaxial with the friction surface of said said dry/.6 member may be posiuoned m f. least two driven clutch pan spaced positions so that rolls of various capacities of web 4 F0 with w han t h h material maybereceived. 1 r use a e mg appam us ousmg 2 8. Apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein: a spindle assembly for receiving a roll of web material wound said axis is vertical; and a hub member and 9: rotating the mu about an axls Sam said roll drive member is mounted for limited movement spindle assembly comprising: along said axis a shaft; 9. Apparatus as defined in claim 8 further comprising: means shaft housmg for f a driven clutch part coupled to said roll drive member for and lim ted axial movement relativeto a substantially verrotation therewith Said driven clutch pm having a fric tical axis generally parallel to the axis of a received roll of don surface with a directional vector lying in a plane pep web matenffli pendicular to said axis; shaft for suPpomng the hub member of a a driving clutch part rotatably mounted on the housing and of web matenali having a friction surface in contact with and substantially a drive" clutch P Coupled and extending y from parallel to the friction surface of said driven clutch part;

said shaft for rotation therewith, said driven clutch part drive means; and having a friction Surface lying in a Plane Perpendicular to means interconnecting said drive means and said driving Said vertical axis; clutch part to rotate said driven clutch part in a direction a driving clutch P including a Plate maimed Said to wind the web material onto a received hub member, housing rotation aboul Said shaft, means whereby said roll drive member is movable relative to rotatably driving said plate, (3) a cylindrical wall depends id driving clutch part in opposition to friction g from Said Plate and Spaced radially outwardly from developed between said friction surfaces inversely as a said driven clutch part, and (4) a ring extending radially function of the weight of the roll of web material supinwardly from said wall below said driven clutch part, said ported by said hub member supporting means. ring having an upper friction surface below, parallel to 10. Web handling apparatus for rotatably receiving rolls of and engaged with the friction surface of said driven clutch various capacities of web material wound on hub members, part, whereby said shaft is rotatable relative to said drivsaid apparatus comprising: ing clutch part in opposition to friction developed a roll drive member mounted for (l) rotation about an axis between said friction surfaces inversely as a function of and for (2) translational movement perpendicular to said the weight of the roll of web material supported by said aXiS; hub member supporting means. means on said roll drive member for supporting the hub 5. A spindle assembly as defined in claim 4 further comprismember of rolls of web material such that the axis of a ing means for positively coupling said clutch parts to prevent received roll is generally parallel to the axis of said roll relative rotational movement therebetween. drive member;

6. A spindle assembly as defined in claim 5 wherein said a plate lying in a plane substantially perpendicular to the means for coupling aid clutch pans comprises; axis Of said I'Oll drive member, said plate being the sole at least one lug depending from said plate and spaced radipp g means for Said You drive member for P n inwai-dly f id wall; ing rotation of said roll drive member about any but said at least one hole defined by said driven clutch part, said hole axis; and

being aligned radially with said lug; an elongated opening defined by said plate, said roll drive a prong extending through said hole having an end aligned P extefldm$ through i p g with and spaced below the annular path of said lug; and F' dll'ectlon perpendlculal: salqaxlsi whereby means for raising said prong end into the path of said lug to Said ff member may be posfnoned m least two positively couple Said Clutch Parts together 0 spaced positions so that rolls of various capacities of web 7. Web handling apparatus for rotatably receiving rolls of mammal may be recewedvarious capacities of web material wound on hub members, 

1. For use with a web handling apparatus having a housing, power means, a spindle assembly for receiving a roll of web material wound on a hub member and for rotating the roll about an axis, said spindle assembly comprising: a roll drive member mounted on said housing (1) for rotation about a substantially vertical axis generally parallel to the axis of a received roll of web material and (2) for translational movement along said vertical axis; means on said roll drive member for supporting the hub member of a received roll of web material; a driven clutch part coupled to said roll drive member for rotation therewith and having a friction surface with a directional vector lying in a plane perpendicular to said vertical axis; a driving clutch part rotatably mounted on the housing and having a friction surface in contact with and substantially parallel to the friction surface of said driven clutch part, said driving clutch part being connectable with said power means to rotate said driven clutch part in a direction to wind the web material onto a received hub member, whereby said roll drive member is movable relative to said driving clutch part in opposition to friction developed between said friction surfaces inversely as a function of the weight of the roll of web material supported by said hub member supporting means; and means for positively coupling said clutch parts to prevent relative slippage therebetween.
 2. A spindle assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said coupling means includes: at least one lug on one of said clutch parts; and at least one prong nonrotatably coupled to the other clutch part and selectively movable into engagement with said lug.
 3. A spindle as defined in claim 1 wherein: said roll drive member includes a shaft rotatable about said vertical axis; said hub member supporting means includes a spindle having means for nonrotatably receiving a hub member; the friction surface of said driven clutch part is annularly shaped; and the friction surface of said driving clutch part is annularly shaped and is coaxial with the friction surface of said driven clutch part.
 4. For use with a web handling apparatus having a housing, a spindle assembly for receiving a roll of web material wound on a hub member and for rotating the roll about an axis, said spindle assembly comprising: a shaft; means mounting said shaft on said housing for rotational and limited axial movement relative to a substantially vertical axis generally parallel to the axis of a received roll of web material; means on said shaft for supporting the hub member of a received roll of web material; a driven clutch part coupled to and extending radially from said shaft for rotation therewith, said driven clutch part having a friction surface lying in a plane perpendicular to said vertical axis; a driving clutch part including (1) a plate mounted on said housing for rotation about said shaft, (2) means for rotatably driving said plate, (3) a cylindrical wall depending from said plate and spaced radially outwardly from said driven clutch part, and (4) a ring extending radially inwardly from said wall below said driven clutch part, said ring having an upper friction surface below, parallel to and engaged with the friction surface of said driven clutch part, whereby said shaft is rotatable relative to said driving clutch part in opposition to friction developed between said friction surfaces inversely as a function of the weight of the roll of web material supported by said hub member supporting means.
 5. A spindle assembly as defined in claim 4 further comprising means for positively coupling said clutch parts to prevent relative rotational movement therebetween.
 6. A spindle assembly as defined in claim 5 wherein said means for coupling said clutch parts comprises: at least one lug depending from said plate and spaced radially inwardly of said wall; at least one hole defined by said driven clutch part, said hole being aligned radially with said lug; a prong extending through said hole having an end aligned with and spaced below the annular path of said lug; and means for raising said prong end into the path of said lug to positively couple said clutch parts together.
 7. Web handling apparatus for rotatably receiving rolls of various capacities of web material wound on hub members, said apparatus comprising: a roll drive member mounted for (1) rotation about an axis and for (2) translational movement perpendicular to said axis; means on said roll drive member for supporting the hub member of rolls of web material such that the axis of a received roll is generally parallel to the axis of said roll drive member; a plate lying in a plane substantially perpendicular to the axis of said roll drive member; means on said roll drive member for cooperation with said plate to prevent rotation of said roll drive member about any but said axis; and an elongated opening defined by said plate, said roll drive member extending through said opening for movement therein in a direction perpendicular to said axis, whereby said roll drive member may be positioned in at least two spaced positions so that rolls of various capacities of web material may be received.
 8. Apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein: said axis is vertical; and said roll drive member is mounted for limited movement along said axis.
 9. Apparatus as defined in claim 8 further comprising: a driven clutch part coupled to said roll drive member for rotation therewith, said driven clutch part having a friction surface with a directional vector lying in a plane perpendicular to said axis; a driving clutch part rotatably mounted on the housing and having a friction surface in contact with and substantially parallel to the friction surface of said driven clutch part; drive means; and means interconnecting said drive means and said driving clutch part to rotate said driven clutch part in a direction to wind the web material onto a received hub member, whereby said roll drive member is movable relative to said driving clutch part in opposition to friction developed between said friction surfaces inversely as a function of the weight of the roll of web material supported by said hub member supporting means.
 10. Web handling apparatus for rotatably receiving rolls of various capacities of web material wound on hub members, said apparatus comprising: a roll drive member mounted for (1) rotation about an axis and for (2) translational movement perpendicular to said axis; means on said roll drive member for supporting the hub member of rolls of web material such that the axis of a received roll is generally parallel to the axis of said roll drive member; a plate lying in a plane substantially perpendicular to the axis of said roll drive member, said plate being the sole supporting means for said roll drive member for preventing rotation of said roll drive member about any but said axis; and an elongated opening defined by said plate, said roll drive member extending through said opening for movement therein in a direction perpendicular to said axis, whereby said roll drive member may be positioned in at least two spaced positions so thaT rolls of various capacities of web material may be received. 